Liver function tests and low-dose estrogen oral contraceptives

Abstract

Twenty healthy female volunteers were treated with 35 microgram ethinyl estradiol and 0.4 mg norethindrone for a two-month period of time. Liver function tests (serum SGOT, SGPT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin and prothrombin times) were measured at baseline and control prior to treatment, and at one and two months of therapy. There was a 1.25% incidence of abnormalities in the 320 tests conducted during therapy. During the first month of therapy, there was a 1.9% incidence of abnormal tests. 0.625% incidence of abnormal tests was seen in the second month of treatment. A 5% incidence of abnormalities (single episodes in each parameter) was seen in SGPT, LDH, total bilirubin and prothrombin time levels during the two-month period. This was well below the 10-30% incidence of abnormalities reported with 50-100 microgram of estrogen-containing birth control pills in previous studies. There seems to be little effect on liver function tests with use of estrogen preparations containing 35 microgram ethinyl estradiol.

PIP: A study was conducted with 20 healthy female volunteers to ascertain the effects on the liver function of a low-dose combined OC (oral contraceptive). Control liver function tests--serum SGOT, SGPT, LDH, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, total protein, albumin, and prothrombin times--were conducted prior to treatment. Tests were conducted again at 1 and at 2 months of therapy. The OC used included 35 ug ethinyl estradiol and .4 mg norethindrone. Of the 320 tests conducted during therapy, 1.25% showed abnormal results. This includes 1.9% during the 1st month and .625% during the 2nd month. These rates of abnormal liver function tests are much below results obtained with OCs containing 50-100 ug of estrogen. It is, therefore, concluded that OCs with an ethinyl estradiol content as low as 35 ug seem to have little effect on liver function.